ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Friday directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to finalise a uniform service structure by January 15 to resolve the issue of university teachers serving under the Basic Payscale (BPS) system.

Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, which met with Senator Irfan Siddiqui in the chair, took up several items on the agenda, including the issue of BPS teachers. The teachers had recently staged a protest outside the HEC, demanding their service structure.

The committee initiated discussions on the point of public importance raised by Senator Sadia Abbasi in the Senate session regarding the absence of a service structure and promotion policy for university teachers serving under the BPS system.

The Senate panel was informed by the HEC officials that the commission had actively been addressing the issue, following which Senator Irfan Siddiqui directed the HEC to finalise the work by January 15 and submit a comprehensive report.

Regarding regularisation of daily-wage college teachers in Islamabad, the committee received information that 137 teachers had received regularisation notifications, while recommendations for 223 teachers who had passed the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) examination were pending for cabinet approval.

The acting education secretary,Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, assured the committee that a summary would be approved in the next cabinet meeting, ensuring prompt regularisation of these teachers.

Concerning payment to daily-wage teachers, the committee was informed that Rs32,000 per month was being paid to them.

During the meeting, the acting vice-chancellor (VC) of the Federal Urdu University briefed the committee on the salary disbursements and the proposed relocation of the university’s principal seat to Islamabad.

The acting VC also highlighted the challenges being faced in paying salaries due to financial constraints. Expressing concern, Senator Siddiqui directed HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed to scrutinise legal aspects in collaboration with the ministry.

Expressing the committee’s opposition to relocate the principal seat to Islamabad, Senator Siddiqui emphasised the need to address legal intricacies. The HEC chairman, on the other hand, attributed the financial challenges to malpractices in the university administration’s recruitment and promotion process and highlighted the government’s inadequate grant to the commission.

Meanwhile, Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) chairperson Zia Batool briefed the committee on the organisation’s operations, staff and financial status. Committee members voiced concerns about the shortage of qualified teachers in private educational institutions, unwarranted increase in school fees and inadequate salaries of private employees.

Referring to a high court decision, the chairperson clarified that private institutions were permitted to raise fees by a maximum of five per cent annually.

Senator Siddiqui directed that the authority present a comprehensive report in the next meeting, detailing actions taken to address teachers’ training and the regulation of private educational institutions.

Regarding the public petition concerning facilities for physically-challenged children in educational institutions, the HEC chairman informed the committee that special ramps had been installed in universities. He said steps had been taken to provide all necessary facilities during exams and classes.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2023